Georges St-Pierre will step into the Octagon for the final time at UFC 167.
At least, that is what will happen if GSP‘s trainer, Kristof Midoux, gets his way.
Speaking with Canadian news outlet La Presse, Midoux said (English translation found on the MMA Underground):
Me, I told him, “After this one, it’s over! Shine on that night. Finish that dude in front of everyone. Shut your detractors up. If you finish that guy, if you knock him out, then you’ll be free, you’ll be happy to take the microphone and to say that you’re done. To say that you are giving your place to others.”
This, coupled with a recent interview (in the video above) from the welterweight champ in which he announces future “plans,” paints an interesting picture.
St-Pierre is one of the sport’s most decorated and celebrated athletes, and one must question what more he has to accomplish inside the cage. A win over Johny Hendricks would grant him his 19th win inside the Octagon, the most of any fighter in the promotion’s history.
Furthermore, a successful performance would mark GSP‘s 12th straight victory, still four short of Anderson Silva’s record. Fighting at his current rate, the welterweight king would need roughly four more years just to tie Silva, so it is safe to say that he is not gunning for that particular distinction.
As MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani reported on Twitter:
Midoux said GSP wants to start a family & open a martial arts school, but also thinks GSP should retire is to “pass the torch” to Rory Mac.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 10, 2013
Making this situation more interesting is the fact that GSP‘s stablemate at Tristar Gym, Rory MacDonald, has rapidly ascended the 170-pound ranks, establishing himself as a legitimate contender in the process.
Both men have said they will never fight one another, so GSP has to lose or get out of the way if MacDonald is to have a shot at the sport’s ultimate glory.
On this matter, Midoux said:
Rory has the ability to become a champion. Rory will never want to fight Georges because they’re friends. So I told Georges, “out of respect, don’t keep that guy from climbing the ranks. You’ve had your career. … Help Rory become a champion to show that Canadians dominate this weight class.” It would be intelligent. It would be generous and Georges is generous.
If GSP does call it quits Saturday evening, he will be remembered as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, by far the most superior welterweight in MMA history.
Add in his impressive list of sponsors and worldwide recognition, and it is clear that GSP‘s career will not be quickly forgotten, nor will it be easily replicated by future generations.
What do you make of Midoux’s comments? Is there merit to the talk of GSP‘s retirement?
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